- Private GROUP TOUR (COSTS) is two hours long for this Holyoke on the National Register bicycle riding tour. Also a one hour indoor presentation can be given.
- A free public tour comes up every five years.
- A self-tour is available for anyone using the maps and text seen below. – LOCATION
| stop | site | notes | LINK |
| 1 | Holyoke Canal System | LINK | |
| 2 | Clovis Robert Block | LINK | |
| 3 | Friedrich Block | LINK | |
| 4 | Wistariahurst | LINK | |
| 4A | Central Churchill Historic District | LINK | |
| 5 | Maplewood Hotel | LINK | |
| 5A | Essex Street Historic District | LINK | |
| 5B | War Memorial Building of Holyoke | LINK | |
| 6 | United States Post Office | LINK | |
| 7 | Hampden Park Historic District | LINK | |
| 8 | Holyoke City Hall | LINK | |
| 9 | North High Street Historic District | LINK | |
| 10 | Caledonian Building | LINK | |
| 11 | Prospect Park | LINK | |
| 12 | Hadley Falls Company Housing District | LINK |
stop 1 – Holyoke Canal System (district) – LOCATION
Use the map above to see what your route will be along our ride or hike about the city. First stop is at the Holyoke Canal System at its Second Level. See the link above to read about the history and function of the canal. It is a vast system so you would have to spend a lot of time on touring the canal.
stop 2 – Clovis Robert Block LINK
stop 3 – Friedrich Block LINK
Across the street from this block is the Mount Holyoke Fire Station. This is the only building that has been determined eligible for the National Register but is not on it since the property owner does not want to be on it.
Get back into the route by going behind the Friedrich Block on Race Street. The structure on the other side of the Second Level Canal is the Holyoke Water Power Electric Station. Elite turbine testing was done there from 1880 to 1932.
On the way up Cabot Street to Wistariahurst you can stop at the First Level Canal for a rest and another look at the wonderful canal system.
stop 4 – Wistariahurst LINK
Wistariahurst (LOCATION) is the home of William Skinner the scion of the Skinner family. Skinner brought the Skinner Silk Mill to Holyoke. His home is now a museum and is owned by the city. The home has its own web page HERE. Three buildings on the National Register have federal Historic Restrictions on it. Wistariahurst is one of those.
stop 4A – Central Churchill Historic District LINK
stop 5 – Maplewood Hotel LINK
stop 5A – Essex Street Historic District LINK
Essex Street in Holyoke is an area of graceful Victorian homes and beautiful institutions. In 2023, it became Holyoke’s 14th entry on the National Registry of Historic Places.
stop 5B – War Memorial Building of Holyoke LINK
The War Memorial Building of Holyoke is a 1937 building to honor the Holyoke World War 1 deaths. It became Holyoke’s 13th entry on the National Registry of Historic Places.
stop 6 – Holyoke Main United States Post Office LINK
stop 7 – Hampden Park Historic District [Veterans’ Park]
Use the link above to read about this wonderful park and campus. LOCATION You can also read the full description of the St Jerome campus at this LINK.
stop 8 – Holyoke City Hall
See the link above to read about the city hall and its area. LOCATION
stop 9 – North High Street Historic District LINK
The entire length of High Street from Essex to Lyman Streets is one historic district. LOCATION There are many buildings of superb architectural style in this district. Included in the district are Holyoke City Hall and the Caledonia. There have been a couple of additions to the historic district – including adding more buildings to the south and adding a Dwight Street building. The Ball Block is one of the three buildings in Holyoke that has been placed the National Register and that have federal Historic Restrictions on it. It was formerly the home for banks but now is a professional building. If you start at the southern end of this district then start at the back of the Congregational Church. If you start at the northern end then start near the Fuller Block.
stop 10 – Caledonia Building
The Caledonian Benefit Society (LOCATION) purchased this building in 1909. Roswell Crafts had it built in 1874. The top floor is for social function, the ground floor is for retail business, and the middle two floors are for office space. To read more go to its LINK.
stop 11 – Prospect Park (district) [Pulaski Park]
See the link above to read about the park and its area. LOCATION
stop 12 – Hadley Falls Company Housing District
See the link to read about this area. LOCATION